In a significant move following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in 2017, the UK government is set to investigate seven organisations linked to the incident, including cladding and insulation manufacturers. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner announced that these firms, alongside the government and regulators, could be banned from future public contracts as part of efforts to ensure accountability and reform in building safety regulations.
The Grenfell fire claimed 72 lives and was deemed by an inquiry to result from a series of preventable failures marked by negligence and a lack of proper safety protocols. The inquiry's findings accused the involved companies of systemic dishonesty, prioritizing profit over public safety. Alongside the impacted firms, the inquiry spotlighted the government's delayed responses to known safety risks.
Among those facing investigation are Arconic, Kingspan, and Celotex, with Rayner condemning their greed and recklessness. As part of ongoing reform, the government has pledged to implement recommendations from the inquiry, enhancing regulatory framework and public safety measures, with changes expected to begin by 2028.
The list of organisations to be investigated also includes companies responsible for fire safety assessments and the cladding installation. Critics, however, express frustration with the slow pace of progress towards justice, bringing to light concerns over the lack of criminal charges related to the fire and the prolonged inquiry process, which they fear overshadows necessary legal actions.
In conjunction with the investigations, the government has introduced a new Construction Products Reform Green Paper aimed at imposing penalties on companies violating safety standards. They also plan to create a single construction regulator, merging two existing bodies to streamline oversight in the industry.
A new legal framework, termed the 'Hillsborough Law', is being considered to enforce transparency and duty of care among public authorities, aligning with broader efforts to reform the construction sector and prevent tragedies like Grenfell from recurring. Surviving members of the Grenfell community and representatives have called for urgent action, emphasizing the need for swift justice and emphasizing that safety measures should be fundamental in a developed nation.
The government's actions will be monitored closely with updates on progress to be shared every three months, reaffirming its commitment to taking necessary actions to prevent similar disasters in the future.
